Philomene

This first-time author-illustrator has created a droll though somewhat insubstantial picture book reminiscent of Ludwig Bemelmans. Philomene, the tale's scrappy heroine, strides boldly into the woods to rout out the resident evil witch, the ``flea of the forest.'' The girl, armed with only her small red pocketbook, is transported to the witch's castle, where she proceeds to vanquish the hag. The whimsical illustrations, with their bright watercolors and delicate black ink lines demonstrate that in Philomene's capable hands things are not as frightening as they first appear: trees in the forest boast gnarled but rather comical human faces; the purple-frocked witch rides a huge batlike creature no more threatening than a Sendak Wild Thing; the castle laboratory, crammed with lizards and bubbling potions, holds the key to Philomene's triumph. Somewhat disappointingly, this victory comes too easily for most tastes--youngsters would probably like to see Wilsdorf's self-assured heroine toil a bit before her eventual conquest. Ages 4-up. (May)